Vehicle body structure

ABSTRACT

A cover includes a top portion that spans a width of a roof ditch of a vehicle. The cover includes a cover attachment section and a molding attachment section. The cover attachment section couples the cover at a fixed position relative to the vehicle. A molding member extends in a lengthwise direction along the roof ditch between the first and second wall surfaces. The molding member includes an attachment member and an attachment projection. The attachment member mates with the molding attachment section of the cover to form a lengthwise movement connection that retains the cover to the molding member with a predetermined amount of movement along the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch. The attachment projection extends under a lateral side of the cover with an upper surface of the top portion of the cover facing an underside of the molding member.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a vehicle body structure.More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle bodystructure that includes a roof ditch and a molding assembly that coversand conceals the roof ditch.

2. Background Information

Most vehicles have seams defined between a roof panel and side panels.In recent model vehicles, this seam has been formed in a concave area atthe side of the roof referred to as a roof ditch. In many such vehicleswith roof ditches, a pair molding members or molding assemblies are usedto cover or conceal the roof ditch. These molding members are typicallyflush with surfaces of the roof panel and side panels.

SUMMARY

One object is to provide a vehicle body structure with a moldingassembly for a roof ditch that allows for thermal expansion andcontraction of the molding assembly relative to the vehicle roof paneland side panels.

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide a vehicle body structure with at least onevehicle body panel that includes a roof ditch defined by a recessedsupport surface, a first wall surface extending longitudinally along afirst side of the recessed support surface and a second wall surfaceextending longitudinally along a second side of the recessed supportsurface, with the second wall surface being disposed outboard of thefirst wall surface. A cover including a top portion spans a width of theroof ditch between respective top edges of the first and second wallsurfaces. The cover further includes a cover attachment section and amolding attachment section, the cover attachment section coupling thecover at a fixed position relative to the vehicle body panel. A moldingmember extends in a lengthwise direction along the roof ditch betweenthe first and second wall surfaces of the roof ditch. The molding memberincludes an attachment member mating with the molding attachment sectionof the cover to form a lengthwise movement connection that retains thecover to the molding member with a predetermined amount of movementalong the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch. The molding memberincludes an attachment projection extending under one of the firstlateral side and the second lateral side of the cover with an uppersurface of the top portion of the cover facing an underside of themolding member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle that includes a vehicle bodystructure with a roof ditch and a molding assembly that covers andconceals the roof ditch in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the vehicle body structure showing aportion of the molding assembly and the roof ditch in accordance withthe one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the vehicle body structure showing the moldingassembly installed to the roof ditch with a section of the moldingassembly extending above the roof line of the vehicle body structure inaccordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the molding assembly shown removed fromthe vehicle in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the molding assembly and theroof ditch showing a molding member, a cover, seals and cushions of themolding assembly in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rear portion of the vehicle bodystructure with a rear door of the vehicle in an open position revealingthe cover of the molding assembly and a rear section of the roof ditchin accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the rear end section of theroof ditch and the molding assembly taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 2in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the rear end section of the roofditch and the molding assembly taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 2 inaccordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rear portion of the vehicle bodystructure with the rear door and the molding assembly removed to revealthe roof ditch and a hinge installed to the roof ditch in accordancewith the one embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the rear portion of thevehicle body structure similar to FIG. 9, showing features of the hinge,the cover and the molding member of the molding assembly in accordancewith the one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cover of the molding assembly inaccordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a rear plan view of the cover of the molding assembly inaccordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a side plan view of the cover of the molding assembly inaccordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the cover of the molding assembly in accordancewith the one embodiment;

FIG. 15 is another perspective view of the cover of the molding assemblyshowing an underside of the cover in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a rear section of the molding member ofthe molding assembly showing an underside of the rear section of themolding member in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 17 is another perspective view of the underside of the cover of themolding assembly showing the rear section of the molding memberinstalled to the cover in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the cover of the molding assembly showingthe rear section of the molding member installed to the cover inaccordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a rear section of the molding assemblyshowing the rear section of the molding member installed to the cover inaccordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a side plan view of a rear section of the molding assemblyshowing the molding member installed to the cover in accordance with theone embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the molding assembly showing the undersideof the cover and the molding member removed from the vehicle bodystructure in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a front section of the molding membershowing an attachment structure that extends down from an underside ofthe molding member in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a first portion of a mid-section of themolding member showing two attachment structures that extend down fromthe underside of the molding member in accordance with the oneembodiment;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a second portion of the mid-section ofthe molding member showing two further attachment structures that extenddown from the underside of the molding member in accordance with the oneembodiment;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a third portion of the mid-section ofthe molding member showing two further attachment structures that extenddown from the underside of the molding member in accordance with the oneembodiment;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the rear section of the molding membershowing a further attachment structure that extends down from theunderside of the molding member in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a side view of the mid-section of the molding member showingprojections of the molding member and projections that extend downwardfrom the attachment structures in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the mid-section of the molding membershowing the projections of the molding member and the projections thatextend downward from the attachment structures in accordance with theone embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the mid-section of themolding member taken along the line 29-29 in FIG. 5, showing two of theattachment structures with their respective projections along with theprojections of the molding member in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the mid-section of themolding member taken along the line 30-30 in FIG. 21 in accordance withthe one embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the mid-section of themolding member and the roof ditch taken along the line 31-31 in FIG. 1in accordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the mid-section of the moldingmember taken along the line 32-32 in FIG. 21 in accordance with the oneembodiment;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the mid-section of the moldingmember and the roof ditch taken along the line 33-33 in FIG. 1 inaccordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the mid-section of the moldingmember taken along the line 34-34 in FIG. 21 in accordance with the oneembodiment;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the mid-section of the moldingmember and the roof ditch taken adjacent to the line 33-33 in FIG. 1 inaccordance with the one embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a portion of a molding member thatincludes two attachment members and a snap-fitting projection inaccordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 37 is another perspective view of the molding member showing thetwo attachment members and the snap-fitting projection engaged withsurfaces of the cover in accordance with the second embodiment;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the molding member and a cover, thecover having an installation slot, showing the two attachment membersand the snap-fitting projection in an installation position with respectto the cover in accordance with a third embodiment; and

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the molding member and the cover,showing the two attachment members and the snap-fitting projection in afully attached position with respect to the cover in accordance with athird embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 is illustrated inaccordance with a first embodiment. The vehicle 10 includes a vehiclebody structure 12 that defines a pair of roof ditches 14 that arecovered and concealed by corresponding molding assemblies 16. Themolding assemblies 16 are described in greater detail below after adescription of selected portions of the vehicle body structure 12 andthe roof ditches 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6-10, the vehicle body structure 12 includes,among other things, a roof panel 20, a pair of side panels 22, a pair ofhinges 24, a vehicle door 26 and the molding assemblies 16. The roofpanel 20 and the side panels 22 are typically formed of one or morepieces of sheet metal or any other suitable material that is welded orrigidly and fixedly attached together to form a substantially rigidportion of the vehicle body structure 12. Also the roof panel 20 and/orthe side panels 22 can be supported by other structural members asneeded and/or desired.

The roof panel 20 and the side panels 22 are dimensioned, contoured andshaped to define the pair of roof ditches 14 that are spaced apart alongthe roof panel 20 in a direction that is perpendicular or substantiallyperpendicular to a longitudinal direction or lengthwise direction of theroof ditches 14. As indicated, the side panels 22 are fixed to the roofpanel 20 such that the side panels 22 and the roof panel 20 collectivelydefine the overall shape of the roof ditches 14. Each roof ditch 20 isthus a joint that is made by union of the roof panel 20 and a respectiveone of the side panels 22 of the vehicle 10. The roof ditches 14 arecontoured and shaped to compliment the overall shape and design of thevehicle 10. The depicted contour and overall shape of the roof ditches14 can vary from vehicle to vehicle. Further the roof ditches 14 aredepicted as extending between front and rear ends of the roof panel 20and side panels 22. Other orientations and directional orientation arepossible and are within the scope of the invention.

The roof ditches 14, the hinges 24 and the molding assemblies 16 areidentical to one another except that they are symmetrically shapedmirror images of one another. Consequently, description of one roofditch 14, one hinge 24 and one molding assembly 16 applies to both.Therefore, for the sake of brevity, only one of the roof ditches 14,only one of the hinges 24 and only one of the molding assemblies 16, aredescribed below.

As indicated in FIG. 5, the roof ditch 14 and the molding assembly 16both include a compound arcuate and curved shape. Specifically, asindicated in the side view in FIG. 3, the molding assembly 16 and theroof ditch 14 beneath the molding assembly 16, have an arcuate shapewhen viewed from the side. When viewed from above, as in FIGS. 1 and 5,the roof ditch 14 has a curved shape. The overall curved and contouredshape of the molding assembly 16 is demonstrated in FIG. 4 andcorresponds to the shape of the roof ditch 14. Specifically, FIG. 4shows the molding assembly 16 removed from the roof ditch 14, but isshown with an overall shape that corresponds to the overall shape of theroof ditch 14.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 5, 8, 9 and 10, the roof ditch 14 includes aninner wall surface 30 that is within a lateral boundary of the roofpanel 20, an outer wall surface 32 that is positioned adjacent to thelateral boundary of the roof panel 20 and a recessed support surface 34that extends laterally between the bottom edges of the inner and outerwall surfaces 30 and 32. The inner wall surface 30 extendslongitudinally along a first side of the recessed support surface 34 andthe outer wall surface 32 extends longitudinally along a second side ofthe recessed support surface 34. The outer wall surface 32 is disposedoutboard of the inner wall surface 30. The inner wall surface 30terminates at a top edge 30 a that is defined along the intersection ofthe inner wall surface 30 and the roof panel 20. Similarly, the outerwall surface 32 terminates at top edge 32 a that is defined along theintersection of the outer wall surface 32 and the adjacent one of theside panels 22. The inner wall surface 30, the outer wall surface 32 andthe recessed support surface 34 therefore extend from the front sectionof the roof of the vehicle body structure 12 to the rear section of theroof of the vehicle body structure 12.

As shown in FIG. 5, a rearward section 34 a of the recessed supportsurface 34 has a depth that is greater than the remainder of therecessed support surface 34 to accommodate the hinge 24. As is shown inFIG. 5, the roof ditch 14 includes a plurality of fastening members 36.Specifically, each of the fastening members 36 includes a head portionand a shaft portion. As indicated in FIGS. 33 and 35, the shaft portionof each fastening members 36 is rigidly fixed to and extends through therecessed support surface 34 of the roof ditch 14. The head portion ofeach of the fastening members 36 extends above the recessed supportsurface 34. However the head portion of each of the fastening members 36is located below the top edges 30 a and 32 a of the inner and outer wallsurfaces 30 and 32. The head portion of the fastening members 36 isdimensioned and shaped to provide an attachment point for the moldingassembly 16, as is described in greater detail below.

A brief description of the hinges 24 is now provided with specificreference to FIGS. 6-10. The hinge 24 at least partially extends intothe roof ditch 14. Further, the hinge 24 is mounted in the roof ditch 14of the roof panel 20 and is at least partially covered by sections ofthe molding assembly 30, as discussed in more detail below. Basically,the hinge 24 includes a base component 38 and an arm component 40. Asshown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, the base component 38 of the hinge 24 isrigidly fixed to the rearward section 34 a of the recessed supportsurface 34 of the roof ditch 14 by fasteners. As shown in FIG. 6, arearward end of the base portion 38 is exposed at the pivot axis P. Thearm component 40 pivots about the pivot axis P such that the majority ofthe arm component 40 of the hinge 24 is located outside of the roofditch 14, as shown in FIG. 7. The arm component 40 is rigidly fixed toan upper end of the vehicle door 26 by fasteners (not shown).

The pivot axes P of the hinges 24 are generally perpendicularly arrangedwith respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body structure12. In other words, the vehicle door 26 is configured as a lift gatewith the hinges 24 having the horizontally arranged pivot axes P betweenthe base component 38 and the arm component 40.

Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle door 26 is configuredas a rear door (i.e., a lift gate) of the vehicle 10. In other words,the vehicle door 26 is configured as a lift gate with the hinges 24having horizontally arranged pivot axes P between the roof panel 20 andthe vehicle door 26. Typically, the pivot axes P extend in directionsthat are perpendicular or at least transverse to the longitudinaldirection of the vehicle 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinges 24are situated at an upper-rear portion of the vehicle door 26 of thevehicle body structure 12.

The vehicle door 26 that is typically formed of metal or any othersuitable material and is pivotally mounted to the vehicle body structure12 by the pair of hinges 24. The hinges 24 are typically made of metalor any other suitable rigid material having sufficient strength anddurability to support the vehicle door 26 in the open position. A moredetailed description of the hinge 24 and vehicle door 26 can be found inU.S. application Ser. No. 13/042,990, filed Mar. 8, 2012 (Ref. No.NT-US115071). The disclosure of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/042,990 isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

A description of the molding assembly 16 is now provided with initialreference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. The molding assembly 16 can be made ofplastic or any other suitable material that can have some flexibility.In the depicted embodiment, the molding assembly 16 is contoured andshaped to extend partially into and covers the roof ditch 14.

As indicated in FIG. 3, the molding assembly 16 includes a front section44, a mid-section 46 and a rear section 48. The front section 44 and therear section 48 cover the roof ditch 14 and further are contoured toextend flush with the roof panel 20 (a vehicle body panel) betweenrespective the top edges 30 a and 32 a of the first and second wallsurfaces 30 and 32. The mid-section 46 extends between the front andrear sections 44 and 48. The mid-section 46 has a convex contour asviewed in cross-section in FIGS. 30-35 and extends above the roof panel20 (the vehicle body panel) between respective top edges 30 a and 32 aof the first and second wall surfaces 30 and 32 forming a roof railprotruding upward from and above the roof panel 20. Thus, themid-section 46 has the appearance of a side roof rail, but does notinclude slots or gaps typically associated with roof rails or roof rackassemblies.

As shown in FIG. 5, the molding assembly 16 includes a plurality ofcomponents. Specifically, the molding assembly 16 basically includes acover 50, an elongated molding member or molding member 52, a pair ofelongated sealing members 54, a plurality of cushions 56 and a pair ofcaps 58 that conceal a pair of cleats 60.

A description of the cover 50 is now provided with specific reference toFIGS. 6, 7 and 10-15. The cover 50 can be made of, for example, aplastic material, a polymer material, a metallic material or othermaterials suitable for use in an exterior automotive application. Thecover 50 basically includes a top portion 64 and a close-out portion 66.The top portion 64 is dimensioned and shaped to span a width of the roofditch 14 between respective top edges 30 a and 32 a of the first andsecond wall surfaces 30 and 32. The top section 64 includes an uppersurface 64 a, a first lateral side 64 b and a second lateral side 64 c.

The close-out portion 66 is angularly offset from the top portion 64,extending downward relative to the top portion 64 when installed to thevehicle 10 and the roof ditch 14. Specifically, the close-out portion 66extends from a peripheral end edge of the top portion 64 towards therecessed support surface 34 of the roof ditch 14, as indicated in FIGS.6 and 7. The close-out portion 66 also defines a slot 66 a through whichthe arm component 40 of the hinge 24 extends. The close-out portion 66extends laterally along a rear open section of the roof ditch 14 fromthe inner wall surface 30 to the outer wall surface 32, but within theroof ditch 14.

As indicated in FIGS. 11 and 15, the cover 50 also includes a coverattachment section 68 and a molding attachment section 70. The coverattachment section 68 is provided to couple the cover 50 at a fixedposition relative to the vehicle body structure 12. Specifically, thecover attachment section 68 is configured to fix the cover 50 to thehinge 24, with the hinge 24 being fixedly secured to the roof ditch 14by fasteners, as indicated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

The cover attachment section 68 is defined by a box-like structure thatextends from an underside of the top portion 64 along a concealed sideof the close-out portion 66, as shown in FIG. 15. The cover attachmentsection 68 defines a fastener slot 68 a. As shown in FIG. 17, asnap-fitting fastener 72 is installed in the fastener slot 68 a. Asshown in FIG. 7, the snap-fitting fastener 72 is inserted thru anaperture 38 a in the base component 38 of the hinge 24, thereby fixingthe cover 50 in position relative to the hinge 24 and the roof ditch 14.

The molding attachment section 70 is defined along the top portion 64 ofthe cover 50, as shown in FIGS. 11-15. More specifically, the moldingattachment section 70 includes first and second slots 74 and 76 which,along with snap fitting projections 78 and 80 of the molding member 52(shown in FIGS. 16-18), define a lengthwise movement connection betweenthe cover 50 and the molding member 52. The first slot 74 and the secondslot 76 are defined by the top portion 64 of the cover 50. The first andsecond slots 74 and 76 are both laterally and longitudinally offset withrespect to the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch 14.

The first slot 74 and the second slot 76 both extend in the lengthwisedirection of the roof ditch 14. As is further explained below, the snapfitting projections 78 and 80 are attachment members of the moldingmember 52 and are movably installed, respectively, in the first andsecond slots 74 and 76. As a result of the lengthwise movementconnection between the snap fitting projections 78 and 80 of the moldingmember 52 and the first slot 74 and the second slot 76 of the cover 50,the rear section 48 of the molding member 52 is movable relative to thecover 50 in the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch 14. The snapfitting projection 78 snap-fits into the first slot 74 of the cover 50such that the molding member 50 cannot move in lateral directionsrelative to the cover 50. However, the snap fitting projection 78 canslide in a lengthwise direction of the roof ditch 14 along the firstslot 74. Similarly, the snap fitting projection 80 snap-fits into thesecond slot 76 of the cover 50 such that the molding member 50 cannotmove in lateral directions relative to the cover 50. However, the snapfitting projection 80 can slide in a lengthwise direction of the roofditch 14 along the second slot 76.

The possible movement of the molding member 52 in the lengthwisedirection of the roof ditch 14 is provided because the molding assembly16 is made of a completely different material than the roof panel 20 andthe side panel 22. Specifically, the vehicle body structure 12 ispreferably made of metal. The molding assembly 16 can be made ofplastic, polymers, rubber material or the like. Consequently, themolding member 52 can undergo expansion and contraction in response tochanges in temperature that differs from the thermal expansion andcontraction rates of the vehicle body structure 12. Specifically, theoverall length of the molding member 52 can increase and decrease as aresult of thermal expansion and contraction relative to the vehicle 10.The first and second slots 74 and 76 are elongated such that the snapfitting projections 78 and 80 can undergo limited sliding movement alongthe length of the first and second slots 74 and 76 to accommodate thechanges in overall length of the molding member 52 as it undergoesthermal expansion and contraction.

As is indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cover 50 and the roof ditch 14define a cavity. The base component 38 of the hinge 24 is situatedwithin this cavity and the arm component 40 (a vehicle door mountingstructure) of the hinge 24 is situated outside of the cavity. Morespecifically, a rear end of the base component 38 of the hinge 24 islocated adjacent to the slot 66 a of the close-out portion 66 of thecover 50. The arm component 40 of the hinge 24 extends through the slot66 a of the close-out portion 66 of the cover 50. Consequently, themajority of the arm component 40 of the hinge 24 is substantiallylocated outside of the cavity defined by the cover 50 and the roof ditch14.

The cover 50 also includes a hook 82 that extends downward from the topportion 64 of the cover 50. The hook 82 is configured to hook on to aforward edge of the base component 38 of the hinge 24 to further securethe cover 50 in place relative to the roof ditch 14.

A description of the molding member 52 is now provided with specificreference to FIGS. 21-35. The molding member 52 is an elongated memberthat is formed unitarily as a single monolithic element. The moldingmember 52 can be molded in a single step, or can be molded in a seriesof steps to form the single monolithic element. The molding member 52can be made of a plastic material, a polymer material, a rubber orrubber-like material or any other material suitable for use as a moldingin an automotive application where such molding is exposed to theelements (sunshine, wind, cold, heat, rain, etc. . . . ).

The molding member 52 includes three basic sections, a front section 84,a mid-section 86 and a rear section 88. The front section 84 correspondsto the front section 44 of the molding assembly 16, the mid-section 86corresponds to the mid-section 46 of the molding assembly and the rearsection 88 corresponds to the rear section 48 of the molding assembly16. Specifically, the front section 84 and the rear section 88 cover theroof ditch 14 and further are contoured to extend flush with the roofpanel 20 between respective the top edges 30 a and 32 a of the first andsecond wall surfaces 30 and 32. The mid-section 86 extends between thefront and rear sections 84 and 88. The mid-section 86 has a convexcontour (as viewed in cross-section in FIGS. 30-3) and extends above theroof panel 20 between respective top edges 30 a and 32 a of the firstand second wall surfaces 30 and 32 forming a roof rail protruding upwardfrom and above the roof panel 20. Thus, the mid-section 86 has theappearance of a side roof rail, but does not include slots or gapstypically associated with roof rails or roof rack assemblies. The frontsection 84, the mid-section 86 and the rear section 88 extend in alengthwise direction relative to the roof ditch 14.

When viewed in cross-section as in FIGS. 30-35, the molding member 52includes a top portion 90, a first lateral side 92, a second lateralside 94, a plurality of attachment structures 96, 98, 100, 102, 104,106, 108 and 110 and the above described snap fitting projections 78 and80.

The top portion 90 has a contoured shape that has differing profilesalong the lengthwise direction. For example, as indicated in FIGS. 1-3,5, 8 and 10 in the front section 84 and rear section 88 of the moldingmember 52, the top portion 90 appears to be flat, but can be contouredto include a slight curvature and arcuate profile corresponding to thecurvature and arcuate contour of the roof panel 20 and adjacent sidepanel 22. In the mid-section 86 of the molding member 52, the topportion 90 is raised, such that the top portion 90 protrudes above theroof panel 20 and adjacent side panel 22. Further, within themid-section 86 of the molding member 52, the overall shape andcross-sectional profile of the top portion 90 changes along thelengthwise direction, as indicated in the drawings. The top portion 90can be shaped and contoured in any of a variety of shapes depending uponthe overall design of the vehicle body structure 12 of the vehicle 10.The shape of the top portion 90 in the depicted embodiment is forexample only, and is not intended to limit the overall shape andappearance of the top portion 90.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 21, the top portion 90 includes a pair ofopenings 112 a and 112 b. The openings 112 a and 112 b are covered bythe caps 58. The caps 58 are removable to expose the cleats 60. Thecleats 60 are fixed to the recessed support surface 34 by fasteners (notshown). The cleats 60 are configured to support cross-members (notshown) that form part of an optional feature of a roof rack system.These cross-members extend across the roof panel 20 between the two roofditches 14 and are attached to the cleats 60 in a conventional manner.It should be understood from the drawings and description herein thatthe openings 112 a and 112 b, the cleats 60 and the caps 58 are optionalfeatures that can be omitted. Since these features are optional, furtherdescription is omitted for the sake of brevity.

The first lateral side 92 and second lateral side 94 extend downwardfrom opposite lateral sides of the top portion 90 of the molding member52. The first lateral side 92 is positioned adjacent to the roof panel20 and the second lateral side 94 is positioned adjacent to the sidepanel 22 with the molding member 52 installed to the roof ditch 14. Thefirst and second lateral sides 92 and 94 further include respectiverecesses or lips 92 a and 94 a that extend in a lengthwise directionalong the entire length of the molding member 52. With the moldingmember 52 installed to the roof ditch 14, the lip 92 a is positionedadjacent to the top edge 30 a of the inner wall surface 30, and the lip94 a is positioned adjacent to the top edge 32 a of the outer wallsurface 32, as indicated in FIGS. 31 and 33. The first lateral side 92includes a bottom edge 92 b that is located below the lip 92 a, as shownin FIG. 32. As well, the second lateral side 94 includes a bottom edge94 b that is located below the lip 92 a, as shown in FIG. 32.

The first lateral side 92 and second lateral side 94 also include aplurality of downwardly extending projections 120 a, 120 b, 122 a, 122b, 124 a, 124 b, 126 a, 126 b, 128 a and 128 b, as shown in FIGS. 22-27.The first lateral side 92 includes the projections 120 a, 122 a, 124 a,126 a and 128 a, and the second lateral side 94 is provided with theprojections 120 b, 122 b, 124 b, 126 b and 128 b. As indicated in FIGS.21-25, the projections 120 a, 120 b, 122 a, 122 b, 124 a, 124 b, 126 a,126 b, 128 a and 128 b are staggered along the lengthwise direction ofthe molding member 52, but are paired together. Specifically, theprojections 120 a and 120 b are approximately aligned with one anotherrelative to the lengthwise direction of the molding member 52, as shownin FIGS. 21, 22 and 23. The projections 122 a and 122 b areapproximately aligned with one another relative to the lengthwisedirection of the molding member 52, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 23. Theprojections 124 a and 124 b are approximately aligned with one anotherrelative to the lengthwise direction of the molding member 52, as shownin FIGS. 21 and 24. The projections 126 a and 126 b are approximatelyaligned with one another relative to the lengthwise direction of themolding member 52, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 25. Further, the projections128 a and 128 b are approximately aligned with one another relative tothe lengthwise direction of the molding member 52, as shown in FIGS. 21and 25.

The elongated sealing members 54 are installed along respective ones ofthe lips 92 a and 94 a, as indicated in FIGS. 8, 33 and 35. Theelongated sealing members 54 provide a cushion between the roof ditch 14and the molding member 52. The elongated sealing members 54 extend thelength of the molding member 52. The elongated sealing members 54include slots that receive the projections 120 a, 120 b, 122 a, 122 b,124 a, 124 b, 126 a, 126 b, 128 a and 128 b. More specifically, theprojections 120 a, 120 b, 122 a, 122 b, 124 a, 124 b, 126 a, 126 b, 128a and 128 b extend downward through the slots formed in the sealingmembers 54.

The projections 120 a through 128 b are stabilizing projections thatposition the molding member 52 in a relatively fixed orientation withinthe roof ditch 14. The projections 120 a, 122 a, 124 a, 126 a and 128 aextend below the lip 92 a and the bottom edge 92 b of the first lateralside 92. Similarly, the projections 120 b, 122 b, 124 b, 126 b and 128 bextend below the lip 94 a and the bottom edge 94 b of the second lateralside 94. The projections 120 a through 128 b are further tapered inthickness, as indicated in FIGS. 30 and 31. More specifically, theprojections 120 a through 128 b have tapering thicknesses such thatupper ends of the stabilizing projections 120 a through 128 b arethicker than lower end of the stabilizing projections, as shown in FIGS.30 and 31. Further, with the molding member 52 installed in the roofditch 14, the projections 120 a, 122 a, 124 a, 126 a and 128 a of thefirst lateral side 92 conform to shape of the inner side wall 30.

Similarly, the projections 120 b, 122 b, 124 b, 126 b and 128 b of thesecond lateral side 94 conform to the shape of the outer side wall 32with the molding member 52 installed to the roof ditch 14. In otherwords, the projections 120 a, 122 a, 124 a, 126 a and 128 a of the firstlateral side 30 extend downward away from the top portion 90 along thefirst wall surface 30 of the roof ditch 14 and the projections 120 b,122 b, 124 b, 126 b and 128 b of the second lateral side 94 extenddownward away from the top portion 90 along the second wall surface 32of the roof ditch 14. Further, the projections 120 a through 128 b allextend downward below respective bottom edges 92 b and 94 b of the firstand second lateral sides 92 and 94 into contact with the recessedsupport surface 34 of the roof ditch 14.

Further, each of the projections 120 a through 128 b is provided acorresponding one of the cushions 56. The cushions 56 are included toreduce and/or prevent noise that might otherwise occur during movementof the molding member 52 relative to the roof ditch 14. Morespecifically, as the molding member 52 experiences thermal expansion andcontraction, the cushions 56 provide a reduced friction surface thatpermits small amounts of movement of the molding member 52 relative tothe surfaces of the roof ditch 14.

A description is now provided of the plurality of attachment structures96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110. The attachment structures 96,98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 all have structural features incommon with one another but due to variations in the overall shape ofthe molding member 52 along its length, each of the attachmentstructures 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 can have slightlydifferent overall dimensions. However, the general description below ofthe attachment structure 102 applies to each of the attachmentstructures 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110.

As indicated in FIGS. 29, 32 and 33, each of the attachment structures96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 includes a first side wall 132,a second side wall 134, a lateral wall 136 extending between the firstand second side walls 132 and 134 and a bottom wall 138. An upper end ofthe first side wall 132 is fixed to and formed integrally (molded) withthe first lateral side 92 of the molding member 52. Further, an tipperend of the second side wall 134 is fixed to and formed integrally(molded) with the second lateral side 94 of the molding member 52. Thefirst side wall 132 extends downward from an upper area of the firstlateral side 92 and the second side wall 134 extends downward from amid-section of the second lateral side 94. Further, the side wall 136extends between the first and second side walls 132 and 134, beingintegrally formed or molded therewith. However, as the first side wall132 extends downward, a lower section of the first side wall 132 isspaced apart from the first lateral side 92 and the second lateral side94. As well, as the second side wall 134 extends downward, the lowersection of the second side wall 134 is spaced apart from the secondlateral side 94.

The first side wall 132 and the lateral wall 136 are perpendicularlyarranged relative to one another. The lateral wall 136 and the secondside wall 134 are also arranged perpendicularly relative to one another,with the first and second side walls 132 and 134 facing one another. Thefirst side wall 132, the second side wall 134 and the lateral wall 136define an open area between the first and second side walls 132 and 134and above the bottom wall 138.

The bottom wall 138 extends in a direction that is approximatelyperpendicular to each of the first, second and third side walls 132, 134and 136. Further, the bottom wall is formed integrally (molded) with thefirst and second side walls 132, 134 and the lateral wall 136. Thebottom wall 138 includes a slot or opening 140. The bottom wall 138defines a lower or bottom surface that includes a pair of ribs 142. Theribs 142 extend in a lengthwise direction relative to the roof ditch 14.The ribs 142 are located on opposite lateral sides of the opening 140.The lower surface of the bottom wall 138 of each of the attachmentstructures are positioned vertically lower than adjacent sections of thelongitudinally extending lips 92 a and 94 a.

A clip 144 (clip member) is snap fitted into the opening 140, as shownin FIGS. 33 and 35, for each of the attachment structures 98, 100, 102,104, 106, 108 and 110, but not the attachment structure 96, as isexplained below. The clip 144 defines an elongated slot that snap fitsto a corresponding one of the fastening members 36. Hence, there is aplurality of the clips 144, one for each of the attachment structures98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110. The clips 144 all include mountingparts that snap fit to the bottom wall 138 at the opening 140.

It should be understood from the drawings and description herein, thatthe fastening members 36 shown in FIG. 5, are spaced apart from oneanother in alignment with the spacing between the attachment structures98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110. With the clips 144 installed to theopenings 140 of each of the attachment structures 98, 100, 102, 104,106, 108 and 110, the molding member 52 is installed to the roof ditch14 by pressing down on the molding member 52, snap fitting each of thefastening members 36, one by one, into the clips 144 of each of theattachment structures 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110. The elongatedslot of each of the clips 144 receives one the fastening members 36extending therethrough. The elongated slots of the clips 144 extend in adirection approximately parallel to a lengthwise direction of the roofditch 14 and are dimensioned relative to the fastening members 36 suchthat the molding member can undergo limited movement relative to theroof ditch. Consequently, it is possible for there to be small amountsof relative movement between the fastening members 36 and the attachmentstructures 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 in the lengthwisedirection of the roof ditch 14. More specifically, the clips 144 areconfigured to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the moldingmember relative to the roof ditch 14.

As is indicated in FIG. 21, the attachment structure 96 is provided witha clip 146 that has a rounded opening. Consequently, once the moldingmember 52 is installed to the roof ditch 14, the front section 84 isfixed in position relative to the roof ditch 14 via the connectionbetween the fastening member 36 and the clip 146 in the attachmentstructure 96.

As is indicated in FIGS. 21-27, the projections 120 a, 120 b, 122 a, 122b, 124 a, 124 b, 126 a, 126 b, 128 a and 128 b (the stabilizingprojections) of the first and second lateral sides 92 and 94 are offsetfrom the attachment structures 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110(roof attachment portions) as viewed laterally with respect to alengthwise direction along the roof ditch 14. More specifically, theprojections 120 a, 120 b, 122 a, 122 b, 124 a, 124 b, 126 a, 126 b, 128a and 128 b (the stabilizing projections) are longitudinally spacedapart from adjacent ones of the attachment structures 96, 98, 100, 102,104, 106, 108 and 110 (roof attachment portions). For example, as shownin FIG. 23, the projections 120 a and 120 b are spaced apart from theattachment structure 98. Specifically, the projections 120 a and 120 bare positioned closer to the front of the vehicle 10 than the attachmentstructure 98. The projections 122 a and 122 b are also spaced apart fromand are located rearward from the attachment structure 98. Further asshown in FIG. 24, the projections 124 a and 124 b are located betweenthe attachment structures 102 and 104, being offset therefrom. As shownin FIG. 25, the projections 126 a and 126 b are located between theattachment structures 106 and 108, being offset therefrom.

As is indicated in FIGS. 27, 30 and 31, the projections 120 a, 120 b,122 a, 122 b, 124 a, 124 b, 126 a, 126 b, 128 a and 128 b (thestabilizing projections) extend downward from the first and secondlateral sides 92 and 94 lower than a lowermost surface of the bottomwall 138 of each of the attachment structures 96, 98, 100, 102, 104,106, 108 and 110 (the roof attachment portions). Further, theprojections 120 a, 120 b, 122 a, 122 b, 124 a, 124 b, 126 a, 126 b, 128a and 128 b extend downward from the first and second lateral sides 92and 94 lower than the ribs 142, as indicated in FIGS. 30 and 31.

However, when the molding member 52 is installed within the roof ditch14, the ribs 142 can contact and remain in contact with the recessedsupport surface 34 with the molding member 52 installed to the roofditch 14. Alternatively, the ribs 142 can be dimensioned to remainslightly spaced apart from the recessed support surface 34 with themolding member 52 installed to the roof ditch 14.

In the depicted embodiment, the molding member 52 (the top portion, thefirst lateral side 92 and the second lateral side 94), the snap fittingprojections 78 and 80, and the attachment structures 96, 98, 100, 102,104, 106, 108 and 110 are formed unitarily as a single monolithicelement.

During assembly, the cover 50 is first attached to the hinge 24. Theclips 144 and the clip 146 are installed to the attachment structures98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110, and the attachment structure 96,respectively. The seals 54 are installed to the lips 92 a and 94 a ofthe molding member 52. Thereafter, the molding member 52 is installed tothe roof ditch 14 such that the snap fitting projections 78 and 80 areinserted into the first and second slots 74 and 76 of the cover 50; andthe fastening members 36 are snap fitted into the slots or openings ofthe clips 144 (and 146) installed to the attachment structures 96, 98,100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 of the molding member 52. Duringinstallation, the projections 120 a, 122 a, 124 a, 126 a and 128 a ofthe first lateral side 92 of the molding member 52 press against andconform to the shape of the inner wall surface 30 of the roof ditch 14,then contact the recessed support surface 34 of the roof ditch 14.Similarly, the projections 120 b, 122 b, 124 b, 126 b, and 128 b of thesecond lateral side 94 of the molding member 52 press against andconform to the shape of the outer wall surface 32 of the roof ditch 14,then contact the recessed support surface 34 of the roof ditch 14.

The attachment structures 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 snapfitted to the fastening members 36 fixes the molding assembly 16 to theroof ditch 14. Further, contact between the projections 120 a, 120 b,122 a, 122 b, 124 a, 124 b, 126 a, 126 b, 128 a and 128 b of the moldingmember 52 and the inner wall surface 30, the outer wall surface 32 andthe recessed support surface 34 ensure a firm, non-twistable andnon-rotatable installation of the molding member 52 to the roof ditch14.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 36 and 37, a molding assembly in accordance witha second embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similaritybetween the first and second embodiments, the parts of the secondembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment willbe given the same reference numerals as the parts of the firstembodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the secondembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity. The parts of the second embodimentthat differ from the parts of the first embodiment will be indicatedwith a single prime (′).

In the second embodiment, the molding assembly is very similar to thefirst embodiment in that it includes the cover 50, but includes amodified molding member 52′. In the second embodiment the molding member52 of the first embodiment has been replaced with the molding member52′. The molding member 52′ includes each and every feature of themolding member 52 of the first embodiment, as described above. However,in the second embodiment, the molding member 52′ includes an additionalfeature. Specifically, the molding member 52′ includes an attachmentprojection 200 that extends laterally inwardly from adjacent the bottomedge 94 b of the second lateral side 94 of the molding member 52′.Further, the attachment projection 200 has an upper surface (notvisible) that extends approximately parallel to an underside surface 88a of the molding member 52′. The attachment projection 200 is a snapfitting projection in the second embodiment, as described further below.

As described in the first embodiment (and included in the secondembodiment), the molding member 52′ also includes the snap fittingprojections 78 and 80. The snap fitting projections 78 and 80 extendaway from the underside surface 88 a of the molding member 52. Thesnap-fitting projection 200 extends in a direction that is perpendicularto the snap fitting projections 78 and 80. The attachment projection 200further extends in a direction that is perpendicular to the lengthwisedirection of the molding member 52′. The attachment projection 200 isspaced apart from the underside surface 88 a of the molding member 52′by a distance that allows the second lateral side 64 c to be disposedbetween the underside surface 88 a of the molding member 52 and theattachment projection 200. Preferably, the attachment projection 200 ispositioned to retain the upper surface 64 a of the top portion 64 of thecover 50 flush to the underside surface 88 a of the molding member 52′.

As is shown in FIG. 37, the attachment projection 200 (the attachmentprojection) extends under the second lateral side 64 c of the cover 50in the installed position (FIG. 37 is an upside-down view of the cover50 and the molding member 52′). However, it should be understood thatthe attachment projection 200 can be located on either lateral side ofthe molding member 52′ such that either one of the first lateral side 64b and the second lateral side 64 c of the cover 50 can be retained bythe snap fitting projection 200. Further, multiple ones of the snapfitting projections 200 can be included on the molding member 52′. Itshould be understood from the drawings and the description herein thatthe lengthwise movement connection defined by the connection between thefirst and second slots 74 and 76, and the snap fitting projections 78and 80, is enhanced and supported by the attachment projection 200.Specifically, the attachment projection 200 is positioned to allow thelengthwise movement of the molding member 52′ relative to the cover 50.

As shown in FIG. 37, the first and second slots 74 and 76 are bothlaterally and longitudinally offset from one another. Similarly, thesnap fitting projections 78 and 80 are likewise laterally andlongitudinally offset from one another. In the depicted embodiment, thesnap fitting projection 78 and the attachment projection 200 are bothlocated at the second lateral side 94 of the molding member 52′.However, the snap fitting projection 78 and the attachment projection200 are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction ofthe molding member 52′. The snap fitting projection 80 and theattachment projection 200 are spaced apart from one another in thelateral direction of the molding member 52′. As well, the attachmentprojection 200 is laterally aligned with portions of the second slot 76and the snap fitting projection 80.

In the second embodiment, the molding member 52′ and the attachmentprojection 80 can be made of any of a variety of materials. For example,the molding member 52′ can be made of a plastic or polymer material thathas sufficient resiliency and flexibility such that the attachmentprojection 200 can snap fit to the cover 50 during assembly of the cover50 to the molding member 52′. However, if the molding member 52′ is madeof a more rigid material, such as stainless steel or chrome plated metalmaterial, then the dimensions of the attachment projection 200 may needto be modified in order for the attachment projection 200 to snap fit tothe cover 50. Still further, it is also possible to modify the cover 50with a recess that permits installation of the molding member 52′ to thecover 50, without utilizing a snap fit engagement between the attachmentprojection 200 and the cover 50, as is described in greater detail belowwith respect to a third embodiment.

Third Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 38 and 39, a molding assembly in accordance witha third embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similaritybetween the first, second and third embodiments, the parts of the thirdembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first and secondembodiments will be given the same reference numerals as the parts ofthe first and second embodiments. Moreover, the descriptions of theparts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of thefirst and second embodiments may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

In the third embodiment, the molding assembly includes the moldingmember 52′ and therefore includes all of the features of the moldingmember 52 described with respect to the first embodiment and furtherincludes the attachment projection 200 of the molding member 52′described with respect to the second embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the molding assembly further includes a cover50′ that includes all of the features of the cover 50 described abovewith respect to the first and second embodiments, and further includes arecess 210. The recess 210 is formed along the second lateral side 64 cof the top section 64 of the cover 50′. The recess 210 is basically acutout that is dimensioned such that the attachment projection 200 canpass through the recess 210 when the attachment projection 200 isaligned with the recess 210. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 38 therecess 210 is an insertion slot. As described above with respect to thecover 50, the cover 50′ of the third embodiment can undergo limitedsliding movement with the snap fitting projections 78 and 80 installedwithin the first and second slots 74 and 76. During installation and/orremoval of the snap fitting projections 78 and 80 in and out of thefirst and second slots 74 and 76, there may be difficulty moving thecover 50′ past the attachment projection 200. For example, if one orboth of the molding member 52′ and the cover 50′ are made of a rigidmaterial, assembly of the molding member 52′ to the cover 50′ may makesnap fitting engagement between the attachment projection 200 and thecover 50′ difficult. The recess 210 allows for added ease of assemblyand dis-assembly. Specifically, with the cover 50′ installed to the roofditch 14 as described above and the molding member 52′ in aninstallation orientation with respect to the cover 50′, the attachmentprojection 200 is aligned with the recess 210 (insertion slot). As themolding member moves from an installation orientation to an installedorientation, the snap-fitting projections 78 and 80 of the moldingmember 52′ pass through respective first slot 74 and second slot 76 ofthe cover 50′ while the attachment projection 200 passes through therecess 210 (insertion slot).

As shown in FIG. 39, once the molding member 52′ is slid into a fullyinstalled position or fully attached position relative to the cover 50′,the attachment projection 200 no longer aligns with the recess 210 andretains the upper surface 64 a of the top portion 64 of the cover 50′flush to the underside surface 88 a of the molding member 52′.

The various features of the vehicle 10, other than the above describedroof ditch 14 and the molding assembly 16, are conventional componentsthat are well known in the art. Since these various features of thevehicle 10 are well known in the art, these structures will not bediscussed or illustrated in detail herein. Rather, it will be apparentto those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the components canbe any type of structure and/or programming that can be used to carryout the present invention.

General Interpretation of Terms

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe theabove embodiment, the following directional terms “forward”, “rearward”,“above”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “below” and “transverse”as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directionsof a vehicle equipped with the vehicle body structure. Accordingly,these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should beinterpreted relative to a vehicle equipped with the vehicle bodystructure.

The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately”as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modifiedterm such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such features. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle body structure comprising: at least one vehicle body panel including a roof ditch that is defined by a recessed support surface, a first wall surface extending longitudinally along a first side of the recessed support surface and a second wall surface extending longitudinally along a second side of the recessed support surface, with the second wall surface being disposed outboard of the first wall surface; a cover including a top portion that spans a width of the roof ditch between respective top edges of the first and second wall surfaces such that a first lateral side of the top portion extends along the first wall surface and a second lateral side of the top portion extends along the second wall surface, the cover further including a cover attachment section and a molding attachment section, the cover attachment section coupling the cover at a fixed position relative to the vehicle body panel; and a molding member extending in a lengthwise direction along the roof ditch between the first and second wall surfaces of the roof ditch, the molding member including an attachment member and an attachment projection, the attachment member mating with the molding attachment section of the cover to form a lengthwise movement connection that retains the cover to the molding member such that the lengthwise movement connection allows the molding member and the cover to undergo a predetermined amount of movement relative to one another along the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch, the attachment projection extending under one of the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the cover with an upper surface of the top portion of the cover facing an underside of the molding member restricting movement of the molding member relative to the cover in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch.
 2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the attachment projection is a snap fitting projection.
 3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the attachment projection extends in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the molding member.
 4. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3, wherein the attachment projection extends in a direction perpendicular to the attachment member.
 5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the attachment projection extends in a direction perpendicular to the attachment member.
 6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes an insertion recess dimensioned such that with the molding member moving from an installation orientation to an installed orientation relative to the cover, the attachment projection is passed through the insertion recess.
 7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the attachment projection is positioned to retain an upper surface of the top portion of the cover flush to an underside of the molding member.
 8. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the lengthwise movement connection includes a first slot that extends in the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch as a part of the molding attachment section of the cover, and the attachment member is movably disposed in the first slot in the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch.
 9. The vehicle body structure according to claim 8, wherein the first slot is defined by the top portion of the cover.
 10. The vehicle body structure according to claim 8, wherein the attachment member snap-fits into the first slot of the cover to secure the molding member to the cover.
 11. The vehicle body structure according to claim 8, wherein the lengthwise movement connection further includes a second slot that extends in the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch as a part of the molding attachment section of the cover, and the lengthwise movement connection further includes an additional attachment member that is disposed on the molding member and is movably disposed in the second slot.
 12. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, wherein the first and second slots are laterally offset from each other with respect to the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch.
 13. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, wherein the first and second slots are longitudinally offset from each other with respect to the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch.
 14. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, wherein the attachment members snap-fit into the first and second slots of the cover to secure the molding member to the cover.
 15. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, wherein the first and second slots are both laterally and longitudinally offset with respect to the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch.
 16. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, wherein the attachment projection is laterally aligned with one of the first and second slots and longitudinally offset with respect to the other of the first and second slots.
 17. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, wherein the attachment projection is a snap fitting projection.
 18. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, wherein the attachment projection extends in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the molding member.
 19. The vehicle body structure according to claim 18, wherein the attachment projection extends in a direction perpendicular to both of the attachment members.
 20. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, wherein the cover includes an insertion recess dimensioned such that with the molding member moving from an installation orientation to an installed orientation relative to the cover, the attachment projection is passed through the insertion recess. 